Factory reset computer

[z3dog]

Hey everyone, I have a couple of questions to ask to you tech savvy guys about my computer. I should be asking this on origin forums, but I like Steam, not Origin. I am sorry if this is in the wrong place. If it is, let me know.
Note: I do not know hardly anything about computers. These questions can probably be answered by a child, I just don't know much. Thank you.
So here's the situation: I think my computer has a big virus or is hacked. I'm not sure, but just to be safe I am going to factory reset my computer. I'm new to pc gaming and I'm a little paranoid because I've spent a lot of money XD. So here are my questions:
1. If I do a factory reset will I have to reinstall all my Nvidia graphics updates, all the battlelog updates, all the windows updates,etc. If so is there any way to save the updates or not? Battlefield 4 (the main game I play) has finally become playable and I really don't want to go through the hell of finding and updating all the patches that have come out over the past year.
2. Will my Battlefield 4 stats be saved? Do I have to uninstall Battlefield first, and then reset my computer, or can I just reset it? When I go to redownload it after the reset will it save all my stats. I'm asking because I disabled the cloud syncing because it was giving me problems. So even though that is disabled will It still save all my stats?
3. I did have another question but I can't think of it now, so If I remember it I'll let you know. If there is anything else I need to know about factory resetting my computer I should know, I'm all ears. Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this.

[ReBoot]

1. Yes
2. Yes
However, a factory reset from the disk inside the computer might be useless against an infection as thevirus might just as well have infected that.

[Iceira]

either way origin or steam or what ever support they are human and can make mistake...
why do you think you need a reinstall everything ? what have you lost or did you see a scare tactic browser warning ?....

only info i got u have pc and nvidia gfx card and think u have been hacked or virus ?
and play bf4....

and maybe you run a beta driver that did odd things ... ?

update windows is a most
if no antivirus program get a free one or use microsoft essential ... better then none at all
is firewall up see windows system...

check for addware spyware,
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=6057-YLBN-1660&l=english

[Walrick]

How recently did you start having problems? If it's recent, you could try using 'System Restore', which is less drastic.
If you're using Windows, your computer should automatically be saving restore-points every few days or so, and allows you to restore your computer back to a specific time before the checkpoint.

This often doesn't work with viruses, however. But maybe you're lucky and it's not one of those viruses?

[z3dog]

Thank you for replying guys. The reason I think I got hacked is because like a fool I clicked on a link someone random email sent to me. I've heard that hackers will do that sort of stuff. I've scanned my computer will several virus programs and it hasn't picked up anything, so I'm thinking its hacked instead. I googled how to tell if your computer is hacked and nothing matches up except for one thing- really slow internet speed. I read that a hacker has to connect to your pc, and it seems at really random times my internet connection is ridiculously slow. Here's the link to the website. http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001296.htm
I may be overreacting but I don't know if anything really, really bad can happen if I don't take action, plus I'm a bit afraid of someone finding all my passwords.

Walrick- It only happened about a week ago, so system restore would probably be the best option, I just don't know how to do it. I'm using windows 8.1 on ASUS. I've heard Lenovo has 1key recovery, but I don't know if ASUS has anything like that.

Ultimately, from what you guys are saying, it sounds like i'm overreacting. Like i said earlier, i'm just afraid that if I wait to long, I won't be able to do anything. I don't know if it gets worse as time goes on.

[Iceira]

i cant say u never got hacked but i dont think so, that mail have to have a scribt icon in win8 as i recall it ms change that years ago ...where people was hit just standing on the mail as read....

u need to activate such today run program or scribt ...or all ur security was off then u double click it ... and i doubt that ....

and just to add to ur fear there is only one way forever not get hacked or get anything..unplug from the web... but thats is another matter and pointless....

try use ms essential or other free scan tools

if u have router that can allso be hes target if allowed access form wan side or you did not have pw on it ?

[Walrick]

For System Restore on Win8.1, just right-click on the windows icon on the bottom left, click 'System', then click 'System protection', and you'll find the option there.

[HLCinSC]

Option 1:

For starters, forget doing a traditional scan with whatever anti-virus/security software you may have gotten with the computer or downloaded yourself. We need to go deeper.

First, let's pick two good anti-malware removers. I will recommend one and let you research/chose the other. The first is malwarebytes. It is a good, reliable, free program that has a good track record. You can download it for free from https://www.malwarebytes.org/ . The second is your choice.

First, you are going to want to download and install and update them with the latest threat definitions. We are going to go ahead and do this because we are going to run them in Windows Safe Mode without networking (sometimes just called regular safe mode).

To find out how to put your computer in safe mode google it or follow the directions on this link: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm . Windows 8 users can do it directly from the update/recovery settings by selecting advanced startup.

Windows Safe Mode without networking, will allow your computer to boot with just the essentials Windows needs to run. This will help keep any malware that may auto-start with Windows from doing so, which may keep it from repairing or replicating itself as it is removed/deleted. The "without networking" part prevents any of the malware from calling home and downloading or sending more data.

You are going to run the deepest scan possible for both programs (not at the same time though). Select it to scan for all kinds of threats in all drives, files, and folders. It should take a good while for each scan. Remove any threats unless you are sure they are false identifications.

Restart your computer (again in safe mode without networking), and run one of the scans one more time to make sure the threats were actually removed.

Option 2: (If one does not work for you)

Try running a System Restore first, then selecting a point before you installed the malware/lost the account. After doing so, repeat option 1 to confirm the threat has been removed.
System Restore is a great tool and more info can be found out about it here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/system-restore

Option 3: (If the first two do not work)

You will likely need to reformat your drives/reinstall your OS (Sometimes called a factory reset). You should backup all important files, data, and programs. Follow your manufacturer's recommended process for doing so.

[z3dog]

Alright, I did all that was suggested. I did malwarebytes and spybot, scanned my computer and then did a restart after not finding anything. I think my computer is fine. Luckily I didn't have to move on to worse steps. I think I overreacted. Thank you all for the help and time you guys put in. I'm glad I didn't have to end up resetting my computer. Thank you guys!